2024 Recruiting Spotlight: MIAA Signees In Top 100

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I will admit it I am partial and biased about the level of football played in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. The MIAA, in my opinion, is the toughest Division II football conference top to bottom year in and year out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And yes, I graduated from Pittsburg State and Emporia State Universities. As a sports writer, I covered the MIAA off and on for six-plus years at multiple newspapers. So I still get very excited when I see Kansas athletes sign to play for the Gorillas, Hornets, Washburn Ichabods, and the Fort Hays State Tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I also get frustrated, but also very proud, when I see Kansas athletes cross state lines to play in Nebraska, Missouri, or Oklahoma. Several players in the past couple of days and weeks have announced their commitment to MIAA football programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a quick recruiting update on Sunflower State Athletes ranked in the Top 100 of Prep Redzone Kansas Rankings who have committed to play for MIAA schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the second edition of “Recruiting Spotlight” since the updated 2024 rankings were released on January 3. There will be more updates to come including more athletes who have signed with MIAA teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='676193' first='Ray' last='Smith III']</strong>, LB, 6'2”, 220, Olathe East (Northwest Missouri)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is currently ranked No. 41 overall and has committed to play for Northwest Missouri. The Bearcats are getting a tough-nosed linebacker who knows how to finish off tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='415303' first='Jayce' last='Glasper']</strong>, QB, 6'2”, 185, Wichita Northwest (Missouri Western)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Glasper is currently ranked No. 42 overall and has committed to play for Missouri Western. The Griffons are getting a well-coached athlete who could play quarterback or move to tight end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='145518' first='JC' last='Heim'],</strong> LB, 6'3”, 225, Washburn Rural (Washburn)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heim is ranked No. 44 overall and will be staying in Topeka after signing with Washburn. The Ichabods are getting a quick, hard-hitting option for their linebacking corps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='145517' first='Jaren' last='Heim']</strong>, DB, 6'2”, 215, Washburn Rural (Washburn)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>JC's brother Jaren will be joining him on the Ichabod roster. Jaren will mostly likely play in the defensive backfield, but could possibly make a move to linebacker. Heim is currently ranked No. 45.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='574882' first='Roman' last='Hauser']</strong>, TE, 6'4”, 230, Norton (Nebraska Kearney)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hauser is currently ranked No. 48 and has committed to play for Nebraska Kearney. The Lopers are getting one of the top Kansas tight ends from the Class of 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='334744' first='Kason' last='Messenger']</strong>, DL, 6'4”, 285, Cheney (Missouri Southern)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Messenger is an athletic defensive end who parlayed a strong spring combine showing last year into multiple offers. He has committed to play for the Missouri Southern Lions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265194' first='Brayden' last='Kunz'],</strong> ATH, 6'2”, 205, Conway Springs (Northwest Missouri)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kunz is one of the most dynamic athletes in the Kansas Class of 2024. He is coming off back-to-back season rushing for more than 2,000 yards. He will hope to compete for playing time in the Bearcat backfield right away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='259779' first='Sage' last='Huffman'],</strong> RB, 5'9”, 185, Blue Valley West (Emporia State)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Huffman recently committed to play for Garen Higgins' Hornets program. He is ranked No. 69 overall and hopes his athleticism will be featured at Welch Stadium for years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='81144' first='Kaiden' last='Seamster'],</strong> ATH, 6'3”, 205, Chanute (Washburn)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Craig Schurig's coaching staff is stocking up on home-grown Kansas talent. Chanute's Seamster I ranked No. 70 overall and is an explosive athlete whose position and role on the team are to be determined.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826185' first='Weston' last='Langvardt'],</strong> OL, 6'4”, 280, Chapman (Missouri Western)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chapman offensive lineman has committed to Missouri Western. He is currently ranked No. 76. He could play guard or tackle for the Griffons depending on how the roster shakes out over the next four years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='270336' first='Augustus' last='Thuston'],</strong> OL, 6'5”, 285, Chanute (Washburn)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thuston is currently ranked No. 82 overall. He has signed to play with the Washburn Ichabods. Chapman may get a chance to block for teammate Seamster on Saturdays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='543068' first='Isaiah' last='Holthaus'],</strong> ATH, 6'3”, 195, Tonganoxie (Fort Hays State)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a huge get for the Tigers. Chris Brown's staff somehow poached one of the best wideouts on from the eastern half of Kansas. Holthaus is an excellent route runner with nice hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->